April 12, 2012

Former Sutherland Partner Moves to Reed Smith in D.C.

A former Sutherland Asbill & Brennan partner has made a lateral move to Reed Smith, the latter firm announced Wednesday.

Mary Thornton Payne joins Reed Smith as a partner in the financial industry group in Washington. She represents clients on legal and regulatory issues related to securities laws.

In an interview, Payne said that the chance to build upon Reed Smith’s platform and to rejoin former Sutherland colleague Tom Conner convinced her to join the firm.

“My focus is on the exchange traded funds, both commodities and securities-based and a variety of investment products,” Payne said.

Payne said her clients took the news of her lateral move well and have been supportive. “The commodities funds and ETF clients all have their eye on listings abroad,” she said. “The global platform was attractive to them.”